WORCESTER – South Africa’s largest single-brand retailer, PEP, has announced the nationwide expansion of its much-loved mini netball programme, extending it to all nine provinces through a partnership with South African Schools Netball (SASN).
Now, in its third consecutive year, even more u7, u8 and u9 girls can experience the joy of netball, building confidence, skills, and community spirit.
From humble beginnings in 2023, when the programme kicked off in Gauteng, Free State, and the Western Cape, to spreading its wings in Limpopo, North-West, and the Northern Cape in 2024, this initiative has been changing lives one match at a time. And now, in 2025, we’re going all in.
The programme is landing in KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, and the Eastern Cape, making sure every aspiring netballer gets a chance to shine.
Aspiring young players, and now also coaches, nationwide have the opportunity to participate, develop their skills, and contribute to the growth of youth netball in South Africa.
“This is a truly proud moment for PEP mini Netball because by reaching all nine provinces, more young girls can discover their love for the sport. By encouraging untapped talent in the community, we can help the future generation of players and coaches with the confidence they need to chase their dreams,” said Beyers van der Merwe, Chief Marketing Officer at PEP.
“This year we will host 40 festivals and 9 coaching sessions across the nine provinces as part of our commitment to the development of youth netball in South Africa. With the coaching sessions and festivals, it’s not just about enhancing skills; but building a strong sense of community.”
The PEP mini Netball coaching sessions will once again be in the hands of some of South Africa’s most respected netball figures, including Dumisani Chauke, the PEP mini Netball Ambassador and former Spar Proteas Assistant Coach, Dr. Elsje Jordaan, a highly regarded sports scientist from Sportisimo and current Golden Fireballs coach, as well as Minnette Dempsey, a motivational speaker and team culture coach also representing Sportisimo.
Their expertise and passion have consistently inspired attendees, equipping them with the knowledge and motivation to nurture the next generation of netball talent in their communities.
“The PEP mini Netball festivals and coaching sessions continue to become a powerful tool for youth development, allowing young girls from all backgrounds to gain basic skills in netball at grassroots level. We are excited to see the programme expand to all nine provinces, creating even more opportunities for girls to grow, excel, and be inspired by the sport of netball,” added Di Woolley, President of SASN.
Image: @ChaukeDumisani1/Twitter.
